Aston Villa are through to the semi finals of the Premier League Cup after they defeated Blackburn Rovers on a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Villa took the lead three minutes before the interval with a goal from Bethan Merrick but after the break, Blackburn - the last remaining club in the competition from outside the National Division - grabbed an equaliser through Stephanie Marsh.

Extra time could not decide a winner and so the match went to penalties. Each side netted their five penalties, taking the shootout to sudden death where a Blackburn miss ensured that Villa went through as 6-5 winners to the last four, where they will play Portsmouth.

In the National Division, Cardiff City Ladies picked up an important 3-2 victory over Manchester City which takes them into a mid-table position. The visitors took the lead just before the half hour through Carly Bayley but Cardiff turned it around when Lauren Townsend and Paige Stewart scored either side of half time. Krystle Johnston levelled matters once more midway through the second half but with four minutes remaining, Kelly Aldridge scored from close range to give Cardiff a result which increases the distance between themselves and the bottom two places.

The only other league game to beat the weather was in the Southern Division, at Lewes where visitors Millwall Lionesses picked up a 1-0 win which takes them seven points clear at the top of the table.